cohesion and adhesion

• Cohesion


  Hydrogen bonds within water molecules allows for strong cohesion between water molecules
• Mass transport


  Allowing columns of water to move under tension through the xylem of plants
• Surface tension


  Hydrogen bonds occur between the top layer of water molecules to create a sort of film on the body of water
• Insects that can move across the surface of water

  • Pond skaters
• Adhesion


  Water is able to bond via hydrogen atoms to other molecules which are polar or charged, such as cellulose
• Transpiration


  Adhesion enables water to move up the xylem
• Capillary action


  Water is drawn up narrow channels in soil, called capillary tubes
• Capillary action in plant cell walls


  Spaces between cellulose fibres can draw water from xylem vessels and allow water to flow through plant tissue